Plant Engineer

Oregon Clean Energy, located in Oregon, OH, is a combined cycle gas-fired generation facility with a potential output of 820 MW. The facility’s configuration includes 2×1 Siemens SGT6-8000H gas turbines and an SST-5000 steam turbine, making it a beacon of innovative energy generation in the region. Nestled within Oregon, OH, this advanced energy facility serves as a cornerstone of efficient power generation, supporting the local community with its cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Engineer holds a critical role in optimizing plant performance and ensuring operational efficiency. Responsibilities include tracking forced outages, conducting root cause analyses, and coordinating with external contacts to resolve issues and exchange information. Additionally, the engineer evaluates control systems, implements condition monitoring techniques, manages instrumentation systems, and administers various engineering programs to enhance plant reliability and profitability. Their multifaceted role requires a deep understanding of engineering principles and effective communication skills to maximize plant efficiency and minimize downtime.

Primary Functions

Engineering

• Track forced outages and loss of generation, conducting root cause analysis as necessary, and fulfilling reporting requirements both internally and externally.
• Coordinate with external contacts, including engineering firms and equipment manufacturers, to discuss field changes, resolve issues, and exchange information.
• Monitor overall plant performance, including combustion and steam turbines, and the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). Analyze plant heat rate and efficiency trends, recommending operational enhancements to maximize profitability for plant owners.
• Evaluate and optimize control systems performance, ensuring efficient operation of plant equipment, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).
• Implement condition monitoring techniques such as vibration analysis, thermography, and oil analysis to assess critical equipment health and performance.
• Manage instrumentation and measurement systems across the plant to ensure accurate and reliable data acquisition, including calibration and maintenance of equipment.
• Develop and communicate work practices and procedures to keep site drawings and documentation up to date.
• Analyze equipment failures, determine root causes, recommend recovery plans, and implement cost-effective solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Assist in investigating plant problems, incidents, accidents, and unusual events, providing analyses, recommendations, reports, and follow-up plans.
• Administer the Configuration Control Program to maintain high-quality documentation and provide updates to the Plant Engineer library and files.
• Develop and administer contracts and work scope for external contractors to maximize efficiency in plant and contractor personnel usage.
• Perform reliability studies to maximize plant availability and capacity factors.
• Review plant design and generate recommendations to reduce overall operational costs.
• Manage capital improvement projects to meet budgetary guidelines and contractual obligations.
• Fully support and participate in NAES Safety and Regulatory Compliance Programs.

NERC:

Responsible for the oversight, administration and coordination of all plant Operator and Owner NERC accountabilities. Must be familiar with all NERC standards and requirements in order to:

• Understand and interpret regulatory requirements (know where to obtain information and interpret requirements to be applied at the plant level).
• Monitor NERC websites for new regulations and requirements that are applicable to the plant.
• Ability to analyze large amounts of technical data and structure such information for the purposes of clearly documenting and demonstrating compliance with all applicable NERC Reliability Compliance standards.
• Complete Reliability Standard Audit Worksheets (RSAWs) for the plant.
• Provide responses that are accurate, technically competent, and given with consideration to represent the stakeholders in a proper manner during compliance visits.
• Ensure that plant NERC Reliability procedures and policies are kept up to date with requirements.
• Provide training to plant personnel on updated or new NERC procedures and requirements.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Plant Engineer reports to the Plant Manager. The Plant Engineer cooperates with the Operations and Maintenance Managers, Compliance Manager and Administrative Supervisor as needed in the daily operation of the plant. Maintains a positive relationship with NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services. The Plant Engineer will coordinate with operations on matters concerning environmental permits.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Physical requirements include the possibility of standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing and lifting up to 50 pounds. Protective equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves, and high voltage protective equipment, etc.). There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

This position entails a Monday to Friday work schedule during regular day shift hours. Position requires extended working hours and varied shifts, with the possibility of weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload, and plant conditions. “On call” status will periodically be required. Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

Initial starting compensation will range from $125,000 to $165,000.

Job Qualifications

Individual who has a passion for excellence in plant operations and maintenance. Work history will demonstrate progressively increasing responsibilities with at least three years of directly related experience in a power plant environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding and proficiency in power plant operations, maintenance, or engineering, including operations and maintenance components.
• Highly desirable: Previous experience in root cause analysis and reporting of forced outages and loss of generation.
• Experience in NERC compliance for operating facilities is desired, preferably in a power plant or power-related industry.
• Proficiency in analyzing and optimizing control systems performance, including DCS and PLC systems.
• Strong understanding of condition monitoring techniques such as vibration analysis, thermography, and oil analysis.
• Familiarity with instrumentation and measurement systems, including calibration and maintenance procedures.
• Ability to analyze equipment failures, identify root causes, and develop effective recovery plans.
• Proven track record of implementing cost-effective solutions to prevent equipment failures and optimize plant performance.
• Experience with real-time performance management software such as OSIsoft PI systems for monitoring plant heat rate and efficiency.
• Experience with Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems/Data Acquisition and Handling Systems (CEMS/DAHS).
• General knowledge of major environmental legislation concerning air, water, hazardous materials, and waste management.
• Familiarity with applicable safety statutes and regulations and understanding of principles associated with maintaining a strong safety program.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with the ability to present facts, conclusions, and recommendations effectively in written communications.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Drivers License.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Engineering: Intermediate

Power Generation: Intermediate

Power Plant Fundamentals: Intermediate

NERC: Intermediate

DCS – Distributed Control System: Intermediate

PLC – Programmable Logic Controller: Intermediate

DAS Systems: Intermediate

CEMs – Continuous Emission Monitoring: Intermediate

O&M – Operations & Maintenance: Intermediate

Root Cause Analysis: Intermediate

Safety Policies and Procedures: Intermediate

Troubleshooting: Intermediate

Verbal and Written Communications: Intermediate

Behaviours

Preferred

Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Team Player: Works well as a member of a group

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field

Experience

Preferred

Individual who has a passion for excellence in plant operations and maintenance. Work history will demonstrate progressively increasing responsibilities with at least three years of directly related experience in a power plant environment.

Demonstrated understanding and proficiency in power plant operations, maintenance, or engineering, including operations and maintenance components.

Highly desirable: Previous experience in root cause analysis and reporting of forced outages and loss of generation.

Experience in NERC compliance for operating facilities is desired, preferably in a power plant or power-related industry.

Proficiency in analyzing and optimizing control systems performance, including DCS and PLC systems.

Strong understanding of condition monitoring techniques such as vibration analysis, thermography, and oil analysis.

Familiarity with instrumentation and measurement systems, including calibration and maintenance procedures.

Ability to analyze equipment failures, identify root causes, and develop effective recovery plans.

Proven track record of implementing cost-effective solutions to prevent equipment failures and optimize plant performance.

Experience with real-time performance management software such as OSIsoft PI systems for monitoring plant heat rate and efficiency.

Experience with Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems/Data Acquisition and Handling Systems (CEMS/DAHS).

General knowledge of major environmental legislation concerning air, water, hazardous materials, and waste management.

Familiarity with applicable safety statutes and regulations and understanding of principles associated with maintaining a strong safety program.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver’s License